The 12 Best Places in the U.S. to Go Whale Watching (and When to Go)

There is something so magical about seeing a whale in the wild. Maybe it’s the fact that we feel so small next to them (blue whales can weigh an astounding 300,000 pounds) or that for most of us, whales aren’t animals that we get the chance to see every day. Whether you're spotting one from the deck of a whale-watching cruise or from the shores of a national park, whales are some of nature's most beautiful creatures. To observe these gentle giants in their natural habitats, add one of these coastal destinations teeming with whale-watching opportunities to your bucket list.

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San Juan Islands, Washington

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When to Go: May–September

Whales You’ll See: Orcas, Humpbacks, Minkes, Gray Whales

One of the best places in the world to view orcas (a.k.a. killer whales) are the San Juan Islands, clustered off the coast of Washington. Although orcas are seen in the area year-round, three main pods, called the “Southern Residents,” are more frequently glimpsed during the spring through fall months. The San Juan Islands are part of the Whale Trail, a string of whale-plentiful sites in the Pacific Northwest. You can witness humpbacks, minkes, and gray whales, along with groups of sea lions, from the deck of a whale-watching cruise.

Bar Harbor, Maine

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When to Go: April–October

Whales You’ll See: Humpbacks, Finbacks, Minkes

Bar Harbor is famous for its East Coast charm, and its numerous whale sightings. The Gulf of Maine is an ideal whale habitat because it’s filled with all the staples of a whale’s diet—squid, krill, and plenty of fish. Visit Acadia National Park and bring along your binoculars to see whale spouts from afar or take to the water for a tour.

Maui, Hawaii

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When to Go: November–May

The Whales You’ll See: Humpbacks

It wouldn’t be a trip to Maui without catching sight of the majestic humpback whales that linger around the island. February is the best time to see them, with several humpbacks giving birth to their calves during the winter. If you’re lucky, you’ll see a baby humpback during one of Maui’s tour offerings—by boat, snorkel, or paddle board.

Juneau, Alaska

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When to Go: May–September

The Whales You’ll See: Humpbacks, Orcas

Some of the whales here stay year-round, but they become especially active during the summer, when they do their feeding. Alaska.org lists Amalga Harbor and the Rainforest Trail as the best places to observe whales if you prefer dry land, or you can head out into the chilly waters for an up-close-and-personal whale-watching cruise.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

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When to Go: April–October

The Whales You’ll See: Humpbacks, Pilot Whales, Minkes, Finbacks

In the waters off Massachusetts, there’s a protected area called the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Stretching from Cape Ann to Cape Cod, it’s widely considered one of the premier places to view aquatic wildlife in the United States. You’ll compete for a glimpse with the thousands of tourists who head to the Cape during whale-watching season, but the silver lining is that many local cruises guarantee at least one sighting.

About an hour outside of Los Angeles, you’ll find a different world, one marked by crystal blue waters and a wide variety of whale species. In Newport Beach, whale-watching can be experienced year-round—humpbacks, finbacks, and minkes stay all year, while gray whales are spied mid-winter through spring, and blue whales make regular appearances during the summer months. Take a cruise and you might also see some harbor seals and pelicans.

Jacksonville, Florida

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When to Go: December–March

The Whales You’ll See: Right Whales

Jacksonville isn’t known for abundant whale sightings, but what it lacks in frequency it makes up for in opportunities to view one of the world’s most endangered whales: the right whale. There are less than 500 right whales left in the world, but they tend to prefer the warm waters between Jacksonville and Cape Canaveral during the winter months. To increase your chances of seeing one, pack a pair of binoculars and book an oceanfront hotel room with a balcony.

Who knew that there were so many whale varieties so close to the Big Apple? Some whales are more common than others, but it’s generally believed that a whopping 25 species reside in the waters off Long Island. To stay close to the heart of the city, you can depart from Queens on a whale-watching cruise, or you can set sail from Montauk where you may also see seals, sea turtles, and dolphins.

This small Oregon town is known for its year-round sightings of some of world’s largest whale varieties. They travel by the coastline in waves: the gray whales from December through January as they migrate to warmer temperatures (June through October, resident gray whales feed near the shore), and humpbacks and blue whales are prevalent during the summer months as they feed. Go on an excursion or plan an afternoon at the Whale Watching Center, where staff help visitors locate whales as they frolic in the bay.

Cape May, New Jersey

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When to Go: Year-Round

The Whales You’ll See: Humpbacks, Finbacks, Right Whales

It’s always a good time to plan a whale-watching trip to Cape May—the majority of whales aren’t migrating, and come to local waters to feed whenever they like. Go on a traditional cruise to see both whales and dolphins, or book a trip that includes talks from naturalists.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

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When to Go: November–April

The Whales You’ll See: Right Whales, Humpbacks, Pygmy Sperm Whales

If you're looking for an under-the-radar location to spot some whales, try Myrtle Beach. Sightings likely won’t be as plentiful as they are hot spots like Juneau or Bar Harbor, but several tourists report seeing spouts from their hotel room balconies. To see even more local wildlife, like dolphins, sign up for an ocean sightseeing cruise.

Shelby DeeringShelby Deering is a lifestyle writer who specializes in decor, home tours, wellness, travel, vintage, and feel-good stories for national publications.

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